The weather in New York took a serious turn this past week, with the first reported ’snow fall’ on Saturday. While I wouldn’t count that as our first snow, as it was more of a wet slushing that didn’t stick, it does mark the beginning of the longest, darkest season. And with that, coats and scarves make their first appearance. For girls the new thing seems to be the ‘ring scarf’ and for men, the Tartan scarf.

Tartan is the traditionally Scottish plaid with horizontal and vertical stripes of various sizes and patterns. It comes in many colors and styles, each originating as representative of a Scottish family heritage, sort of like a coat of arms. Red is the traditional base color for Tartan, and the style that I have been seeing most frequently around town.

Whether its from a fine Retailer like Glen Prince of Great Britain or from the man on the street, these are a classic and versatile piece of any wardrobe. Like the famous Burberry pattern, a red Tartan will match with most styles, fall browns or winter blacks, and they add a nice splash of color to an otherwise drab winter wardrobe.